Branford Fire Dept. Announces Passing of FDNY Veteran and Branford Second Selectman Joe Higgins
On June 5 at approximately 9 a.m., Branford Fire Department shared the news of the passing of Fire Dept. of New York (FDNY) veteran and Branford second selectman Joe Higgins. Additionally, a statement from First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove's office on the passing of Joe Higgins Jr. was issued later that morning.
Higgins was Cosgrove's Republican running mate during four municipal elections and served on Board of Selectmen with Cosgrove for four consecutive terms, including the current term. Higgins was first elected to the two-year term of service in 2013.
The notice issued on the Branford Fire Department website reads as follows:
"We regret to announce the passing of Selectman Joe Higgins. Joe was a true gentleman, friend and avid supporter of the fire service. Joe served for more than 40 years as an FDNY dispatcher, becoming the Deputy Director of Dispatch Operations for all five boroughs of New York City. He served as the a FDNY Fire Commissioner's Liaison before retiring to Branford in 2006. He was serving on the ground with the leadership team during 9-11 and the loss of so many close friends weighed heavily on his heart. Joe was the keynote speaker at our annual 9-11 remembrance ceremonies. He focused his message towards the children believing the best way to honor the lost was to teach our young people about the immense sacrifice made to save others. We will miss you around the firehouse table Joe, your smile was infectious and your company always welcome. Our deepest condolences go to out to his wife Angie, daughter Michele, her husband Michael, and grandsons, Nicholas and Joseph. Car 1 David has signed on in Heaven."
A statement issued by the First Selectman's office (see related story) announced Higgins' passing with "tremendous sadness," and also shared many of the same sentiments as the fire department with regard to his fire service and leadership.
"He was an incredible man that dedicated his entire life to public service," the statement shared. "The departments and communities he served over many years benefited from his experience and his wisdom, and we are honored to have had him serve as Selectman in our town for the past six and a half years."
A Bronx, NY native, Higgins and his wife, Angela, moved to Branford in 2006 following his retirement from FDNY as deputy director of Dispatch Operations. Higgins led FDNY dispatch operations on Sept. 11, 2001 in Manhattan during the attack and collapse of the World Trade Center towers and was also on site that day. Among 343 NYFD first responders who died that day, Higgins lost 79 of his personal friends.
He was a member of the FDNY Anti-Terrorist Committee as well as the FDNY Commissioner's Committee. Higgins went on to become well-known to the local fire department communities and sought as a speaker for 9-11 events in Connecticut and New York. Since 2006, Higgins and his wife had been instrumental in helping to bring the Town of Branford together each year to remember 9-11.
The couple participated in the 2019 ceremony at Branford Fire Headquarters, where Higgins had noted that, with 9-11 now nearly 20 years in the past, it was important not only to honor and remember that day, but to teach a new generation of kids who did not experience it to understand its importance.